An estimated 200 people participated in the 22nd annual West End Pink Light Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness at the American Legion Post 927 and the West End Fairgrounds.

The opening performance and live music were by Jeni Hackett of the Steel Creek Band, with a broad social media presence.

Carmela Heard warmed up the people with stretching exercises. The walk went from early evening, with light, to a more darkly lit walk as people used flashlights to find their way, which were handed out.

At the fairgrounds, hearing the years many survived and some who struggled, Hope Christman pointed out to the crowd, “So this is one of the longest ventures I’ve ever had in my life. But for some of you, it’s been an even longer time. It was so profound to watch all of you walk here tonight, even though it was dark. And then there was a little bit of light. And then the light got brighter. And it’s such an analogy to what survivors can go through, and caregivers, and their families, that you might feel hopeless in the beginning, and then there’s that little flicker. Sometimes that goal is a little bit, but then sometimes it gets a little brighter until it’s finally a bright light again. This is an awareness event, and it’s a community gathering.”

Christman educated the crowd on the sensitive subject of self-breast exams, telling moms: “If that’s something you haven’t talked to your daughters about yet, please do. If there’s one thing, one thing new, you get out of this tonight, it’s to teach your daughters how to do a self-breast exam. I felt so awkward as a teenager, and I had no clue.”

Christman had the survivors then come up one at a time, of all ages, saying how long they had been cancer-free, and some in stages of fighting it, presently. People stood in line, walked across to the survivors, and gave a supportive high-five to each.

After the walk back, at the Legion, Honi Gruenberg, County Captain Chair of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, gave an update on the progress made on behalf of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, “Each year, I tell you about a different thing that we’re working on, legislatively. If you had reconstruction, it’s because of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.”

Gruenberg said the organization has lobbied for follow-up testing for dense breasts. “We didn’t see enough, you know, just on an MRI, on a mammogram. So you could have a follow-up MRI or ultrasound. So then we got past that you could do it at no charge.

She told people to contact legislators to support Senate Bill 88, which covers diagnostic testing at no charge.”

The people posted at the entrance sold raffle tickets, and many winners went home with generous baskets. Other tables included supporters of this event, such as Dakota Trach, Stacy Freeman, Karen Eastarday, Denise Murphy, and Kimberly Gerhard, the owner of Perfect Balance Boutique. She said, “We are a mastectomy boutique, specializing in bras, breast forms, shapers, and post op bras for your surgery. We also deal with compression bras for women undergoing lumpectomies or radiation. But we are the only ones in the area, like us, within over 100 miles.”

Vivian Vega, executive director of Best Friends of Pennsylvania, Helping Cancer Survivors and their Families, was there to raise awareness and help survivors. Vega said, “Best Friends runs support groups and provides free wigs and other items you might need. If you don’t have insurance, we can try to help you get the things that you need. We have activities, and everything we do is free, even though I take part. So we were trying to be part of the community, and, you know, women in the community are looking for some friendship and comfort. And start living life again.”

Jen Akob, owner of Peaceful Yoga with Jenn in Brodheadsville, offers three oncology yoga classes for free. “We do different activities. Obviously, we stretch, but I do a lot of relaxation, breathing activities, anything that can help you get through what you’re going through. And balance. And balance. Balance. You’re worth it.”

A pink truck stood with tables of merchandise supporting families and raising awareness of breast cancer. Charles Mayer, in solidarity with his girlfriend, who is undergoing cancer treatment, helped with the merchandise.